Kalvin Phillips has endured a nightmarish debut season at Manchester City, spending his first seven months on the treatment table or the substitutes’ bench, and Paul Robinson pondered whether Pep Guardiola could consider reaching him.
“He has not had a great time (at City). It has been stop-start. He has had a shoulder injury and the World Cup, (so his debut season) has been disrupted. (Phillips’) game time has been limited. He has not had many minutes on the pitch.
“I would be very surprised if the player himself wanted to move on. But, perhaps the manager has made up his mind and wants to replace him. You never know.”
The 27-year-old has made just eight appearances in all competitions since joining on a five-year deal from Leeds United last summer, amassing 165 minutes of playing time. Phillips finds himself behind Rodri in the pecking order and hasn’t always shone when called upon, so he’s failed to take the opportunities handed to him.
Unsurprisingly the England international has been linked with a move away from City. Phillips was on the radar of West Ham United, Everton and Leeds United, but he wasn’t granted a move as Pep didn’t have any cover. Whether he was open to getting more playing time elsewhere was unknown.
City don’t like to do big business in January because the winter transfer window gives them little time to get deals over the line. Phillips could be moved on over the summer though, as his poor form and lack of playing time could hamper his international aspirations. He needs regular games.
Robinson isn’t wrong to predict that Phillips could leave, but it’s hard to see suitors willing to pay £45m due to his injury history. A loan move away might be easier to get over the line, however.
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